Drawer system

ABSTRACT

A drawer system includes a base having a bottom side wall and a side opening. A drawer is supported in the base and extends from the base through the side opening and has a bottom side wall. The bottom side wall of the base has formed therein rails. The bottom side wall of the drawer has tracks formed therein for receiving the rails of the base wherein the drawer is slidably supported in the base on the rails and further laterally supported by the rails.

This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/497,855, filed Aug. 23, 2003, entitled DRAWER SYSTEM, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a drawer system and, more particularly, to drawer system that is suitable for use in a vehicle, such as a truck, SUV, or the like.

Cargo areas of vehicles often provide a large volume of space, but much of the space is often wasted. Although the volume of the space is larger than a conventional car trunk, the actual support surface, which is typically provided by the bed of the vehicle, is proportionally small and often no larger than that of the trunk of a car.

Consequently, many drivers will stack their belongings in the cargo space, which may leave the articles on the bottom of the stack inaccessible. Accordingly, there is a need for a system that would increase the usable support surface area in a cargo area of a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a drawer system is provided that can increase the usable support surface area of a cargo area of a vehicle without significantly diminishing the volume of available storage space.

In one form of the invention, the drawer system of the present invention includes a base and a drawer, which is supported in the base. The drawer is extendable from a side opening in the base. The bottom side of the base has formed therein rails, which cooperate with and are received in tracks formed in the bottom side of the drawer such that the drawer is slidably supported in the base on the rails and, further, laterally supported by the rails.

In one aspect, the bottom side of the drawer has a support surface, with the tracks projecting above the support surface and dividing the support surface into discrete support surface areas for compartmentalizing the storage space provided in the drawer. In addition, the bottom side of the drawer may include at least one upstanding flange, which further compartmentalizes the storage space in the drawer. For example, the upstanding flange may extend upwardly from one of the tracks.

In other aspects, the drawer comprises a molded drawer, such as a molded plastic drawer. Similarly, the base may comprise a molded base, such as a plastic molded base.

In other aspects, each of the opposed sidewalls of the base includes at least one recess, which provide gripping surfaces for lifting the drawer system. For example, the recesses may extend from the bottom side of the base.

In other aspects, each of the opposed sidewalls of the base includes an inner web and an outer web, with the inner web offset inwardly from the outer web by a flange, which defines a perimeter of the recess. In a further aspect, the flange comprises a generally inverted U-shaped flange.

In yet another aspect, the front side of the base includes a projecting flange, which has an outer face, which is substantially aligned with the outer face of the front side of the drawer. In addition, the top side of the base has an upper surface, which is substantially aligned with the upper surface of the front side of the drawer. The top side preferably provides a support surface so that the drawer system of the present invention provides both closed storage space and open storage space. In addition, it can be appreciated, therefore, that the drawer system of the present invention effectively doubles the support surface area of the surface area that it occupies.

According to yet another aspect, the bottom side of the drawer has at least one downwardly depending tab, which extends below the front opening wherein the tab performs a stop to limit movement of the drawer from the side opening of the base.

In a further aspect, the drawer may include a lock to provide lockable closed storage space.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of the invention will become more apparent from the study of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the drawer system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a similar view to FIG. 1 illustrating the drawer withdrawn from the base of the drawer system;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the drawer system of FIG. 2 with the drawer extended illustrating the tracks on the bottom side of the drawer;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged detailed view of the locking mechanism of the drawer;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the drawer system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view taken along line V-V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view taken along line VI-VI FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the drawer system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 designates a drawer system of the present invention. Drawer system 10 is particularly suitable for use in a vehicle, such as a truck, SUV, station wagon, or the like. As will be more fully described below, drawer system 10 provides a modular drawer system that is relatively easy to transport and, further, may be placed on the floorboard of a vehicle to provide a closed and lockable storage space while providing an open storage space with a support surface area at least generally equal in size to the surface occupied by the drawer system.

As best seen in FIG. 2, drawer system 10 includes a base 12 and a drawer 14, which is movably supported in base 12 so that drawer 14 can be moved into base 12 where the drawer is in a stowed position within base 12 and out of base 12 in an extended position in which drawer 14 is extended from base 12 and accessible, for example, for placing or removing articles from the storage space defined in drawer 14. Referring to FIGS. 2-6, base 12 forms an enclosure for drawer 14 and includes a base or bottom side 16, a top side 18, a front side 20 a, back side 22, and a pair of opposed sides 24, 26 that extend between top and base sides 16, 18 and back and front sides 20, 22. As will be more fully described below, top side 18 may provide additional storage space in the form of an open storage space to effectively double the support surface area that is occupied by drawer system 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, bottom side 16 is formed by a wall 28 that includes a plurality of bottom recessed portions 29, which form upwardly extending rails 30 (see also FIG. 5) for supporting drawer 14 and, further, for guiding drawer 14 when drawer 14 is moved between its stowed and extended positions. Again referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, drawer 14 similarly includes a bottom side 32, a front side 34, a back side 36, and a pair of opposed sides 38 and 40 that extend between front side 34 and back side 36 and extend upwardly from bottom side 32. Bottom side 32 is similarly formed from a wall 32 a with a corresponding plurality of tracks 42 formed therein for receiving rails 30 so that rails 30 and tracks 42 cooperate to slidably support drawer 14 in base 12. In addition, rails 30 are received into tracks. As a result, the interaction of rails 30 and tracks 42 provide lateral support for drawer 14 so that drawer 14 is laterally supported by rails 30 while drawer 14 is being extended into and from base 12.

To limit the movement of drawer 14 so that drawer 14 cannot be over-extended from base 12 and disengaged from base 12, drawer 14 includes one or more stops 50. In the illustrated embodiment, stops 50 are formed by downwardly extending tabs 52 provided in bottom side 32, which abut base 12 when drawer 14 is substantially fully extended from base 12. For example, tabs 52 may be formed from sections of wall 32 a. When a person wishes to disengage drawer 14 from base 12, they may lift drawer 14 upwardly and urge tabs 52 upwardly to disengage tabs 52 from base 12.

As best seen in FIG. 2, wall 20 a of front side 20 of base 12 includes a side opening 54 that extends transversely across side 20 and though which drawer 14 is extended to be positioned in base 12. To reinforce and stabilize opening 54, front wall 20 a includes a front recess 21, which extends around opening 54. As will be more fully described below, front recess 21 contributes to the overall reinforcement of base 20. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, base 12 is configured so that when drawer 14 is fully extended into base 12, drawer 14 follows the general outline of base 12 and, further, abuts wall 20 a. As best seen in FIG. 2, wall 20 a preferably includes a protecting flange 20 b that forms a ledge upon which front side of drawer 14 rests when drawer 14 is fully extended into base 12. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, flange 20 b includes an outermost surface 20 d with which the outer facing surface 56 a of wall 56, which defines front side 34 of drawer 14, is substantially aligned so that when drawer 14 is moved into its stowed position and fully extended into base 12, drawer 14 appears to be an integral part of base 12 to thereby form a modular drawer system. In addition, when drawer 14 is fully extended into base 12, wall 56 abuts or is in close proximity to front facing surface 20 c of perimeter wall 20 a.

As best understood from FIGS. 1-3, sides 18, 24 and 26 are formed from a pair of web walls 60 and 62, which are offset by flange portions 66. Flange portions 66 define the perimeter of corresponding recesses 70 formed by the offset of the web walls. Although illustrated as forming recesses of generally equal size, it should be understood that the height and widths and, further, depths of recesses 70 may be varied. Recesses 70 provide gripping surfaces to ease handling of drawer system 10 and, further, may be used to support or limit movement of drawer system 10 when located in a vehicle where corresponding engagement structures are provided to align with one or more with the respective recesses. Similarly, drawer 14 may include recesses or indents 72 on an upper end of front side 34 to facilitate gripping of drawer 14.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 5, drawer 14 optionally includes dividers 74, which are used to at least partially compartmentalize the storage space in drawer 14. In the illustrated embodiment, dividers 74 are formed by upwardly extending flanges 76. In addition, flanges 76 may extend or project from back side 36 of drawer 14 and, further, may be aligned on either side of tracks 42. As best seen in FIG. 6, flanges 76 only partially extend into the storage space of the drawer. However, it can be appreciated that flanges 76 may extend the full depth and/or full height of drawer 14. Furthermore, as previously noted, tracks 42, which are formed in bottom side 32 of drawer 14, project upwardly from the support surface 32 b of bottom wall 32 a so that tracks 42 may also form dividers to compartmentalize the storage space of drawer 14.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, upper side 18 of base 12 is formed with a recessed central portion 80, which is defined by an upstanding rib 81 that extends around the perimeter of base 12 and encloses central portion 80. Optionally, a planar top member 82 may be seated in recess 80 to provide a planar support surface. Upper side 18 is similarly formed from a wall 18 a with a plurality of recesses 18 b formed therein, which provide stiffness to wall 18 a and, further, form ribs therebetween to thereby reinforce wall 18 a, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. In addition, as noted at A in FIG. 5, recesses 18 b come together with side recesses 70, which provide further reinforcement to the base. Similarly, the side and rear recesses 70 come together at the respective corners of the base and, further, come together with the top, front, and bottom recesses (18 b, 21, and 29) to thereby form enclosed ribs around the perimeter of base 12, resulting in a much stronger base. In addition, bottom recesses 29 or drawer rails 30 preferably fuse together with front recess 21 during molding. In addition, upper side 18 includes downwardly depending flanges 84 which further reinforce upper side 18 of base 12.

Top member 82 provides an open support surface for articles to be supported on top of base 12 and may be carpeted or covered or the like to provide a more aesthetically pleasing drawer system that can match the vehicle carpeting or trim. In addition, top member 82 provides a storage or support surface that is approximately equal to the floor space occupied by drawer system 10.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5-7, optionally and preferably, bottom side 16 of base 12 includes a plurality of feet 86, such as non-slip feet, including rubber feet. Feet 86 are secured in place by fasteners 88 that extend through bottom wall 28 of bottom side 16.

To secure drawer 14 in its closed position, drawer system 10 optionally includes a locking mechanism 90 (FIG. 3A). Locking mechanism 90 includes a rotatable tab 92 and a shaft 94 on which tab 92 is mounted. Shaft 92 extends through wall 56 of front side 34, which when rotated moves tab into or out of a locked position. To lock drawer 14, tab 92 is rotated to engage a recess 20 e formed in flange 20 b. In the illustrated embodiment, wall 56, which forms front side 34, includes a recessed portion 56 b for mounting shaft 92 to front side 34 of drawer 14.

In the preferred embodiment, drawer system 10 is formed from plastic components with the exception of the locking mechanism, which is preferably formed from a metal material. However, it can be appreciated that locking mechanism 90 may be formed from plastic components as well. Furthermore, in preferred form, base 12 and drawer 14 are molded and, more preferably, rotationally molded from a plastic material, including for example a high-density polyethylene, or a reinforced plastic including a mineral or fiber reinforced plastic. In this manner, drawer system 10 provides a lightweight but sturdy drawer system that can be easily handled and, further, easily removed from a vehicle. Furthermore, because the components of drawer system 10 are molded, other features may be easily incorporated into system, including, for example, guides for hold-down devices, such as straps or the like, which may be used to lock the drawer system 10 to the vehicle.

While one form of the invention has been shown and described, other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims, which follow as interpreted under the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. 

1. A drawer system comprising: a base, said base having a bottom side wall and a side opening; and a drawer supported in said base and extendible from said base through said side opening, said drawer having a bottom side wall, said bottom side wall of said base having formed therein rails, and said bottom side wall of said drawer having tracks formed therein for receiving said rails of said base wherein said drawer is slidably supported in said base on said rails and further laterally supported by said rails.
 2. The drawer system according to claim 1, wherein said bottom side wall of said drawer has an upper support surface, said tracks projecting above said upper support surface and dividing said upper support surface into discrete support surface areas for at least partially compartmentalizing the storage space provided in said drawer.
 3. The drawer system according to claim 2, wherein said bottom side wall of said drawer further includes at least one upstanding flange, said upstanding flange further compartmentalizing the storage space in said drawer.
 4. The drawer system according to claim 3, wherein said upstanding flange extends upwardly from one of said tracks.
 5. The drawer system according to claim 1, wherein said drawer comprises a molded drawer.
 6. The drawer system according to claim 5, wherein said drawer comprises a molded plastic drawer.
 7. The drawer system according to claim 5, wherein said base comprises a molded base.
 8. The drawer system according to claim 1, wherein said base includes a pair of sidewalls, at least two of said sidewalls of said base each including at least one recess, said recesses providing gripping surfaces for lifting said drawer system.
 9. The drawer system according to claim 8, wherein said recesses extend from said bottom side wall of said base.
 10. The drawer system according to claim 8, wherein each of said pair of sidewalls of said base includes an inner web and an outer web, said inner webs offset inwardly from said outer webs to thereby define said recesses.
 11. The drawer system according to claim 10, wherein said recesses comprise generally inverted U-shaped recesses.
 12. The drawer system according to claim 10, wherein said base includes a front side, said front side of said base including said side opening and a projecting flange, said projecting flange having an outer face, and said drawer having a front side with an outer face substantially aligned with said outer face of said projecting flange when said drawer is fully inserted into said base.
 13. The drawer system according to claim 12, wherein said top side of said base has an upper surface, said upper surface providing an outer storage space.
 14. The drawer system according to claim 1, wherein said bottom side of said drawer has at least one downwardly depending tab, said tab extending below said side opening wherein said tab forms a stop to limit movement of said drawer from said base through said side opening.
 15. A drawer system comprising: a base, said base having a bottom side wall, a top side wall, and a pair of opposed sidewalls extending between said top side wall and said bottom side wall, said base further including a side opening; a drawer supported in said base and extendible from said side opening, said drawer having a front side, a back side, a pair of opposed sidewalls, and a bottom side wall extending between said front side, said back side, and said opposed sidewalls; and said bottom side wall of said base having recessed portions forming upwardly projecting rails, and said bottom side wall of said drawer having recessed portions forming tracks formed therein for receiving said rails of said base wherein said drawer is slidably supported by said base and further laterally supported by said rails.
 16. The drawer system according to claim 15, wherein said top side wall of said base includes a recessed portion, said drawer system further comprising a planar member positioned in said recess for forming a planar support surface.
 17. The drawer system according to claim 15, wherein said top side wall of said base includes a plurality of recessed portions forming ribs therebetween for reinforcing said top side wall of said base.
 18. The drawer system according to claim 17, wherein each of said opposed sidewalls of said base includes an inner web and an outer web, said inner webs offset inwardly from said outer webs to thereby define said recesses.
 19. The drawer system according to claim 18, wherein said recesses comprise generally inverted U-shaped recesses.
 20. The drawer system according to claim 19, wherein said base includes a front side, said front side of said base including said side opening and a projecting flange, said projecting flange having an outer face, and said drawer having a front side with an outer face substantially aligned with said outer face of said projecting flange when said drawer is fully inserted into said base. 